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   ST. CATHERINE: SPIRITUAL COUNSELLOR, DOCTOR OF THE CHURCH   
      
   VATICAN CITY, 24 NOV 2010 (VIS) - During his general audience, held this   
   morning in the Paul VI Hall in the presence of 7,000 faithful, Benedict XVI   
   focused his catechesis on St. Catherine of Siena (1347-1380), declared a Doctor   
   of the Church by Paul VI and co-patroness of Europe by John Paul II.   
      
   At the age of sixteen she became a Dominican Tertiary, dedicating herself to   
   prayer, penance and works of charity, especially towards the sick. "As fame of   
   her sanctity spread", the Pope explained, "she became intensely active in the   
   spiritual counselling of many categories of peoples: nobles, politicians,   
   artists, common people, consecrated persons, ecclesiastics, and even Pope   
   Gregory XI who at that time resided in Avignon and whom Catherine energetically   
   and effectively encouraged to return to Rome. She also travelled widely to   
   promote interior reform of the Church and peace among States". She expounded   
   her doctrine in three works: the "Treatise on Divine Providence", her "Letters"   
   and a collection of "Prayers".   
      
   Catherine was also a great mystic. Particularly famous are her visions of her   
   exchanging hearts with Christ, and of the Virgin presenting her the Baby Jesus   
   Who gives her a ring. "The living centre of Catherine's religiosity and of all   
   authentic spirituality", the Holy Father explained, "is Christocentrism. For   
   her, Christ was as a bridegroom with whom she maintained a relationship of   
   intimacy, communion and fidelity. ... Like the saint of Siena, all believers   
   feel the need to conform themselves to the sentiments of Christ's Heart, in   
   order to love God and neighbour as Christ Himself loves. And, indeed, we can   
   all allow our hearts to be transformed and learn to love like Christ through   
   familiarity with Him, nourished by prayer, mediation upon the Word of God and   
   the Sacraments, especially ... Holy Communion".   
      
   "Around her strong and genuine personality an authentic spiritual family came   
   into being of people attracted by the moral authority of this young woman. ...   
   Many placed themselves at her service, considering it a privilege to be   
   spiritually guided by Catherine. They called her 'mother' because, as spiritual   
   children, from her they drew nourishment for the spirit. Today too the Church   
   receives great benefit from the spiritual maternity of many consecrated and lay   
   women, who nurture the idea of God in people's souls, strengthen their faith   
   and orient Christian life towards ever higher peaks".   
      
   Another characteristic of Catherine's spirituality is associated with her "gift   
   of tears, expression of a delicate and profound sensitivity capable of emotion   
   and tenderness", said the Holy Father. "Many saints have had the gift of tears,   
   renewing the emotion of Jesus Himself Who did not hold back or hide His tears   
   before the grave of his friend Lazarus and the pain of Martha and Mary, or the   
   sight of Jerusalem during His last days on earth. For Catherine, the tears of   
   the saints mix with the Blood of Christ", said the Pope.   
      
   Finally he recalled how Catherine of Siena, "though aware of the human failings   
   of the clergy, always had the greatest reverence for them, because through the   
   Sacraments and the Word they dispense the salvific power of the Blood of   
   Christ. The saint invited holy ministers, even the Pope whom which called   
   'sweet Christ on earth', to remain faithful to their responsibilities, moved   
   always and only by her profound and constant love for the Church". From her,   
   Benedict XVI concluded, "we learn the most sublime science: that of knowing and   
   loving Jesus Christ and His Church".   
   AG/VIS 20101124 (590)   
      
   SUMMARY   
      
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